Young people use social media apps on their mobile phones and computers as they attend  the forum, Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa, at the CMC Auditorium Plaridel Hall UP Diliman Quezon City on October 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MEDIA

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173692446842820231003-percy-lapid-forum-JC-4566.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Young people use social media apps on their mobile phones and computers as they attend  the forum, Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa, at the CMC Auditorium Plaridel Hall UP Diliman Quezon City on October 3, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Cellphone conversations can be hacked in real time, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed Wednesday during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/17/-battlefield-is-changing-marcos-orders-military-to-gear-up-for-digital-warfare-1052">&#x27;Battlefield is changing&#x27;: Marcos orders military to gear up for &#x27;digital warfare&#x27;</a></div><p>Panel chair Sen. Raffy Tulfo raised the concern after he received complaints of cellphone hacking after some individuals used public wifi.</p><p>“Kaya nilang i-duplicate agad, kaya nilang makasingit ng conversation na yun at kaya nilang gayahin halimbawa bangko,” Tulfo said. “So ibig sabihin kaya nilang ma-monitor ang conversation ng kahit sino.”   </p><p>“Technically may device or IMSI catcher,” said Mary Coleen Cas, chief of NTC’s Industry Planning and Research Division. </p><p>According to the <a href="https://www.eff.org/wp/gotta-catch-em-all-understanding-how-imsi-catchers-exploit-cell-networks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a>, a US-based digital rights advocacy group, IMSI-catchers are devices that can simulate cell sites. </p><p>&quot;These devices let their operators “snoop” on the phone usage of people nearby,&quot; the EFF said on its website.</p><p>IMSI refers to International Mobile Subscriber Identity or the unique identifier linked to a SIM card that is one of the pieces of data used to authenticate users of a mobile network.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/31/chinese-na-naaresto-dahil-sa-baril-at-hacking-devices-na-inquest-na-1805">Chinese na naaresto dahil sa baril at hacking devices, na-inquest na</a></div><p>According to Cas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has already arrested someone regarding this. </p><div><strong>STATE-SPONSORED HACKING?<br/></strong></div><p>Tulfo also asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) about alleged China-sponsored hacking.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/7/dict-confirms-persistent-cyberattacks-targeting-offices-under-executive-branch-1341">DICT confirms &#x27;persistent&#x27; cyberattacks targeting offices under executive branch</a></div><p>“Meron po tayong mga namo-monitor na with regards sa APT group na attributed to China and other state actors. We keep monitoring on that sa part ng cybersecurity bureau,” Director Rodil Aniban of DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau said. “We keep coordinating with those agencies to mitigate mga nangyayari.&quot;</p><p>Asked how prepared DICT is for internet security and reliability for the upcoming elections, Engr. Michael Gorospe, Planning Officer III of the agency, said their Cybersecurity Bureau has instructed mobile security operations center to monitor the security and integrity of transmission.</p><p>The department also works with telecommunications companies and the NTC.</p><p>“Nire-refresh ang systems, pinapalitan regularly para yung sistema po updated in terms of security. Number two, compliance sa standards. Si DICT may ilalabas na department circular regarding compliance sa information security based on Public Service Act. Particularly compliance sa ISO 27001 which provides standards sa information security sa ICT systems,” Gorospe said.</p><p>He said public awareness on hacking must also be ramped up.</p><p>As for fake news, DICT said it is talking directly with TikTok, Facebook and other social media platforms to address complaints and take down malicious posts. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k47w1H2eYSc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Panel chair Sen. Raffy Tulfo raised the concern after he received complaints of cellphone hacking after some individuals used public wifi.</p>

Panel chair Sen. Raffy Tulfo raised the concern after he received complaints of cellphone hacking after some individuals used public wifi.

Cellphone calls can be hacked with device, NTC confirms | ABS-CBN

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Cellphone calls can be hacked with device, NTC confirms

Cellphone calls can be hacked with device, NTC confirms

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News,

Published Jan 15, 2025 03:30 PM PHT

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